Los Angeles, California – July 06, 2010 – Miss R&B Rhona Bennett–The “First Lady of Darkchild” and longstanding member of the super group En Vogue–is kicking off the release of her forthcoming sophomore album, “The Anticipation Of R&B,” today by issuing two singles to radio stations and DJ’s worldwide.

The soul and hip-hop tinged “Range,” which was written by Rhona, oozes of strength and savvy with a hook that is primed to become a new pop culture catchphrase. It’s a collaboration with Grammy-winning production team J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, who have garnered success with Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Drake, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy and a score of other top recording artists. “Letting You Go” (a co-write with Nick Turpin) is a powerful pop/soul ballad detailing the emotion of a woman conflicted and her yearning to ‘let go’ of the past and her pain.

The album as a whole features a varied selection of cuts from ballads to up-tempo dance tracks that both radio and clubs will embrace. With feature performances by Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron-Braggs of En Vogue and Grammy Award-winning diva Brandy, “The Anticipation of R&B,” is sure to appeal to a diverse group of music fans that want to both “feel” the music and hear the truth of insightful lyrics.

Rhona Bennett is a talent whose career has graced the studio, the stage and the screen from her debut solo effort on Rodney Jerkins’ Darkchild/Sony imprint, to her role as “Nicole” from on the Jamie Foxx Show, to her beginnings as a Mouseketeer with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Now, with this musical endeavor, she is creating a new role…that of Miss R&B, a diva injecting the old school elements of great melodies and choruses into a beat-fueled production and stylized persona that is all about today. It’s a formula that leaves no doubt that Rhona’s return to recording truly is “The Anticipation of R&B.”

I want to showcase wonderful talent that is finally catching the attention of the masses; also, talent just under the radar of being recognized for its greatness. I travel the world and experience “awesomeness” everywhere I go. I’d like to start sharing that “awesomeness” right here at the blog…

This could be the platform that supports the “Awakened Giants” already in the spotlight; and shoots the “Sleeping Giants” amongst the stars where they belong. Enjoy!

Anticipation of Me (Gorgeous)
No Mistake (gave me chills)
Letting You Go (Still LOVE this)
I want More (This shit is sexy, smooth, and a perfect performance)
Cruisin (reminds me of D’angelo)
..and Let The Children Rejoice, Church (fun to listen to!)

Here’s how I see your record.

VERY classic R&B, reminiscent of our idols of the 80’s and 90’s (Pati, Regina, Jodi, Chante, Brandi, Monica, Joe), however you bring a spirituality that I have NEVER heard in a classic R&B record of those times. It marries the record to what the Neo-Soul artists were doing in the 90’s, and some still today (Badu, Musiq, D’Angelo, Guapale).

Combining those elements with your more exotic arrangements, in some cases rhythmically (i.e. “All Fall Down”), and in other cases melodically (i.e. the Prince-like “…Church” and the acoustic “Anticipation of Me”), you have created a brand new genre of R&B called…“Neo-R&B”!!!

I name it that, because it lacks the Digi-Pop/Hip Hop of the 2000’s (Ciara, Chris Brown, MissE, Usher, etc.), and marries 80’s/90’s classic R&B and Neo-soul….with the FUTURE, by-passing the 2000’s altogether (However, there is a touch of Alicia, Rihanna, Ne-yo, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Justin, etc., but I consider them today’s Pop/Hip-Hop R&B, which rarely pulls from the same stuff you pull from. They focus more on modern Pop, Hip-Hop and Club…pulling usually from the 80’s, with the exception of Alicia, who pulls from the 70’s). You, however, said fuck modern, and created a “80’s/90’s Retro-Futuristic” sound. That sets you way apart. Crazy!

In my opinion, it will speak mostly to the female 30 year old crowd. The age that has seen the first REAL pain of life, looking for a deeper meaning in a modern, mainstream lifestyle. Your record is VERY accessible (unlike Guapale for example, who in fact I do love), but on a higher (or deeper) plane than modern R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop.

That said, I believe the ballads will bring it to the 29 and under crowd, and the 39 and over crowd, mostly because a beautiful ballad is timeless.